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 difficulties as seriously distressing and potentially life-threatening.

 The bleak outlook and consequent poor prognosis that characterizes these

 patients will require considerable support and encouragement on the part

 of health personnel.


 Scale E: Social Alienation (33 items)


 Level of familial and friendship support, both real and perceived,

appears to be a significant moderator of the impact of various life

stresses (Cobb, 1976; Rabkin & Struening, 1976). This sense of

aloneness has been detailed in sociological literature (Berkman, 1969;

Comstock & Partridge, 1972; Moss, 1977; Parkes, Benjamin, & Fitzgerald,

1969). High scorers are prone to physical and psychological ailments

and a poor adjustment to hospitalization is common. They perceive low

levels of family and social support and may not seek medical assistance

until illness is extremely discomforting. Every effort should be made

to provide these patients with opportunities to develop significant

rapport and confidence in their health care team.


Scale F: Somatic Anxiety (34 items)


 All of the above stressors seem to be significantly modulated

upward or downward by the preoccupations and fears that patients may

express about their physical state. Studies of what may be called

somatic anxiety reflect the general concerns that patients have about

their bodies (Lipsitt, 1970; Lowy, 1977; Lucente & Fleck, 1972; Mechanic

& Volkart, 1960). High scorers on this scale tend to be hypochondriacal

and susceptible to various minor illnesses. They experience an abnormal